---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You take the lead. He'll open up more…"
description: "\"“You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper than a mumbo jumbo man”\" — Val McDermid"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg"
---

#  You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper…

![“You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper than a mumbo jumbo man” quote by Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg)

> ““You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper than a mumbo jumbo man””

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A leader who is straightforward and honest encourages openness more than one who is vague or pretentious.

**In simple terms:** Honesty in leadership builds trust.

Key Takeaway

Lead with clarity.

Themes

leadership trust communication

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

advice insightful

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- coaching sessions
- client interviews
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

authenticity psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance honesty with empathy?
- When does directness become counterproductive?

A Different Perspective

If the leader is too blunt, it may alienate sensitive individuals.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Copper Mumbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copper-mumbo-5146652/) [Easily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easily/) [Easily Copper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easily-copper-5146651/) [Lead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead/) [Lead Ll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead-ll-4604419/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Tony-hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tony-hill/)

## Related quotes

> [“If you lead, we'll be behind you," one House leader said, "but we'll be way behind you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-lead-we-ll-be-behind-you-one-house-leader-said-but-we-ll-be/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [“I told her you were probably here'. 'Thanks,' Tony said. 'Did I mention she thinks her brother's murder is my fault?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/i-told-her-you-were-probably-here-thanks-tony-said-did-i-mention-she/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“You've always been handy with a knife, Mother”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/you-ve-always-been-handy-with-a-knife-mother/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Tony got up from his desk and crouched down beside her. She was instantly aware of the smell of him, a mixture of shampoo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/tony-got-up-from-his-desk-and-crouched-down-beside-her-she-was/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“The bodies of two murdered women have been found this week. For the record, I didn't kill either of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/the-bodies-of-two-murdered-women-have-been-found-this-week-for-the/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“He looked so vulnerable and fallible, his shoulders slumped, his head down, that Carol's impulses overrode the decision she'd taken only minutes before to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/he-looked-so-vulnerable-and-fallible-his-shoulders-slumped-his-head/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“He knew he could devastate her and drive her from him with a handful of well-chosen sentences. And part of him wanted to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/he-knew-he-could-devastate-her-and-drive-her-from-him-with-a-handful/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“No. It's no the same. The interviewers want you to say what they want to hear. I want to hear what you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/no-it-s-no-the-same-the-interviewers-want-you-to-say-what-they-want/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“It's only hunting you that keeps me from being you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/it-s-only-hunting-you-that-keeps-me-from-being-you/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“I was just finishing up my drink then I was off to get the night bus.' Carol grinned. 'Your sophistication never ceases to amaze…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/i-was-just-finishing-up-my-drink-then-i-was-off-to-get-the-night-bus/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Why are you only coming home just after three? Do you want a drink? I'm wide awake now.' He could be so like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/why-are-you-only-coming-home-just-after-three-do-you-want-a-drink-i-m/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Look at you. Finally, you look upset. Is that what's bothering you now?' She stepped close to him and pushed him hard in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/look-at-you-finally-you-look-upset-is-that-what-s-bothering-you-now/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“I failed her. And she's out of my life. I don't even know where she's living. What she's doing to get through the days.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/i-failed-her-and-she-s-out-of-my-life-i-don-t-even-know-where-she-s/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Around five-eight, slim, good shoulders, narrow hips, legs and trunk in proportion, short dark hair, side parting, dark eyes, probably blue, shadows under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/around-five-eight-slim-good-shoulders-narrow-hips-legs-and-trunk-in/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“He spread his hands in a self-deprecating gesture. 'Well, I'm not a cop. And I'm not a woman.' She couldn't resist. 'I had noticed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/he-spread-his-hands-in-a-self-deprecating-gesture-well-i-m-not-a-cop/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

## More by Val McDermid

> [“I told her you were probably here'. 'Thanks,' Tony said. 'Did I mention she thinks her brother's murder is my fault?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/i-told-her-you-were-probably-here-thanks-tony-said-did-i-mention-she/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Around five-eight, slim, good shoulders, narrow hips, legs and trunk in proportion, short dark hair, side parting, dark eyes, probably blue, shadows under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/around-five-eight-slim-good-shoulders-narrow-hips-legs-and-trunk-in/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“I failed her. And she's out of my life. I don't even know where she's living. What she's doing to get through the days.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/i-failed-her-and-she-s-out-of-my-life-i-don-t-even-know-where-she-s/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an anguished O. He had to admit, there was real pleasure in seeing her pay the price…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/her-eyes-widened-and-her-mouth-formed-an-anguished-o-he-had-to-admit/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Discovering dedicated mystery booksellers was a bit like going to heaven without having to die first”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/discovering-dedicated-mystery-booksellers-was-a-bit-like-going-to/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Everybody's got the right to go to hell in the handcart of their choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/everybody-s-got-the-right-to-go-to-hell-in-the-handcart-of-their/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“It wasn't enough but it was a start. It might keep him going...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/it-wasn-t-enough-but-it-was-a-start-it-might-keep-him-going/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Look at you. Finally, you look upset. Is that what's bothering you now?' She stepped close to him and pushed him hard in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/look-at-you-finally-you-look-upset-is-that-what-s-bothering-you-now/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [That was the trouble with moving houses; no matter how carefully you packed the books, they never ended up on the new shelves in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/that-was-the-trouble-with-moving-houses-no-matter-how-carefully-you/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Why are you only coming home just after three? Do you want a drink? I'm wide awake now.' He could be so like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/why-are-you-only-coming-home-just-after-three-do-you-want-a-drink-i-m/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“junction at the top of the stairs. She gave a curious glance down General Tilney’s corridor, but she”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/junction-at-the-top-of-the-stairs-she-gave-a-curious-glance-down/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [Steve Mosby has become one of a handful of writers who make me excited about crime fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/steve-mosby-has-become-one-of-a-handful-of-writers-who-make-me/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [It's not magic that takes us to another world - it's storytelling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/it-s-not-magic-that-takes-us-to-another-world-it-s-storytelling/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“I was just finishing up my drink then I was off to get the night bus.' Carol grinned. 'Your sophistication never ceases to amaze…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/i-was-just-finishing-up-my-drink-then-i-was-off-to-get-the-night-bus/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

> [“Attractive smile, Carol added to her list of particulars as she shook the hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/attractive-smile-carol-added-to-her-list-of-particulars-as-she-shook/)

[Val McDermid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

[Explore all 49 Val McDermid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/)

## More Easily quotes

> [I can occupy myself quite easily with what's going on inside me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-rampling/i-can-occupy-myself-quite-easily-with-what-s-going-on-inside-me/)

[Charlotte Rampling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-rampling/)

> [It is true that from a behavioral economics perspective we are fallible, easily confused, not that smart, and often irrational. We are more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/it-is-true-that-from-a-behavioral-economics-perspective-we-are/)

[Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/)

> [I don't fall in love easily. It's odd; one of the first things I think about when I go out with a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/i-don-t-fall-in-love-easily-it-s-odd-one-of-the-first-things-i-think/)

[Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/)

> [I don't scare very easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-the-drag-queen/i-don-t-scare-very-easily/)

[Bob the Drag Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-the-drag-queen/)

> [Success not like speech of church. which you get easily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/success-not-like-speech-of-church-which-you-get-easily/)

[Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/)

> [As all of us are only too aware, the loud and frantic voices of the outer world easily drown out the small, still loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/as-all-of-us-are-only-too-aware-the-loud-and-frantic-voices-of-the/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [I can easily cut 10 to 15 pounds without feeling like I'm killing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-jedrzejczyk/i-can-easily-cut-10-to-15-pounds-without-feeling-like-i-m-killing/)

[Joanna Jedrzejczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-jedrzejczyk/)

> [I typically don't get out of shape that easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-covington/i-typically-don-t-get-out-of-shape-that-easily/)

[Robert Covington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-covington/)

> [nothing makes one so easily a fatalist as indifference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-thompson/nothing-makes-one-so-easily-a-fatalist-as-indifference/)

[Sylvia Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-thompson/)

> [I'm a huge Joe Nichols fan, and he put this song out an album called 'Real Things.' I was excited for Joe when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-shelton/i-m-a-huge-joe-nichols-fan-and-he-put-this-song-out-an-album-called/)

[Blake Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-shelton/)

> [The thing one most tries to hide is the one most easily seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ichabod-crane/the-thing-one-most-tries-to-hide-is-the-one-most-easily-seen/)

[Ichabod Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ichabod-crane/)

> [I get startled really easily, so I hate horror films. I have to close my eyes when I think something is going to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-lezark/i-get-startled-really-easily-so-i-hate-horror-films-i-have-to-close/)

[Leigh Lezark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-lezark/)

> [I can easily eat 15-20 dosas or idlis at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabhu-deva/i-can-easily-eat-15-20-dosas-or-idlis-at-a-time/)

[Prabhu Deva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabhu-deva/)

> [Often, equipment can as easily function as a security blanket for musicians unwilling or unable to risk anything personal in the studio. Whether one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-landau/often-equipment-can-as-easily-function-as-a-security-blanket-for/)

[Jon Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-landau/)

> [I'd always really wanted to act; but the modelling contracts came more easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dornan/i-d-always-really-wanted-to-act-but-the-modelling-contracts-came-more/)

[Jamie Dornan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dornan/)

[Browse all 842 Easily quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easily/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper than a mumbo jumbo man”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Val McDermid"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-easily-to-a-copper-than-a-mumbo/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Easily"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-easily-to-a-copper-than-a-mumbo/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad9/val-mcdermid-13650_leadership_you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-eas_2251936.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You take the lead. He'll open up more easily to a copper than a mumbo jumbo man” — Val McDermid",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Val McDermid",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-mcdermid/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“You take the lead. He'll open...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-easily-to-a-copper-than-a-mumbo/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-mcdermid/you-take-the-lead-he-ll-open-up-more-easily-to-a-copper-than-a-mumbo/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
